Thesaurus results for SLING

Q: How is the word 'sling' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast , fling , hurl , pitch , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When is 'cast' a more appropriate choice than 'sling'?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When might 'fling' be a better fit than 'sling'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling , fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When would 'hurl' be a good substitute for 'sling'?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: Where would 'pitch' be a reasonable alternative to 'sling'?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When can 'throw' be used instead of 'sling'?

The words throw and sling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm. // can throw a fastball and a curve

Q: When could 'toss' be used to replace 'sling'?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

sling 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of sling next

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below sling a hammock between the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sling

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈsliŋ

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm slinging stones at the fence post

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is cast a more appropriate choice than sling?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than sling?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would hurl be a good substitute for sling?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to sling?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can throw be used instead of sling?

The words throw and sling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

When could toss be used to replace sling?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sling

Verb

The tarpaulin draped over a ship propeller brings to mind dirty laundry slung over the blades of an idle fan. —

Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 23 June 2026 But a $40/hr wage means adults crowding out teens and nary a school-age summer server slinging soda at SoFi. —

Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 With a golf bag slung over his shoulder and 23-month-old son Bennett in his arms, the two-time Masters champion strolled with wife Meredith, his high school sweetheart, and their newborn son Remy tucked away in a baby carrier after arriving just 12 days earlier. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026 Plus, the locals love taco-slinging Cosmica for Cal-Mex brunch and colorful cocktails, plus World Cup watch parties on the spacious patio. —

Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sling

Verb

Some Palestinians even try to hang food containers on the ceiling of their tents to keep them out of reach.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
After being interrogated, Hale was hanged at age 21, about two months after the Declaration of Independence.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of hang

Verb

Beat a prime Holloway at 170, though, and the door swings back open to the paydays he's chased since the rematch became official.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
To the fans who have watched the Warriors swing and miss on free agents and various trade targets over the last few years, watching Simons sign with another team was painful.

— Nick Friedell, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

Contreras was tossed immediately, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, interim manager Chad Tracy and Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas were all sent to the showers early.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

The herbaceous perennial's name likely comes from its long, slender leaves that resemble spiders’ legs and the way its offsets dangle from the main plant like spiders from a web.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Sher paired the look with minimal makeup, a pair of dangling earrings and a sunhat to shield her face from the sun.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of dangle

Verb

English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.

— Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Things hit a boiling point when Contreras leaped into the air and hurled his batting helmet directly at Cavalli.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

With the grace of a bull in a china shop, Thiero flung himself toward the rim.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
On sunny days at Spiteful Brewing, the garage doors are flung open and the outdoor patio brims with friends toasting the summer in Chicago over snacks or pizza.

— Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 1 July 2026

Definition of fling

Browse Nearby Words

slimy

sling

slinging

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sling. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sling

verb (1)

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sling

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deepfake

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes